MY HOME IS TOO COLD
…and I’m sick of shivering through winter!
If your home feels like a fridge the moment the temperature drops, you’re not alone. Many Australian homes are poorly insulated, full of draughts, and simply not designed to retain warmth. If you’ve been wearing ski clothes inside, hibernating under a blanket, and / or watching your heating bills skyrocket, it’s time to fix the root of the problem—not just treat the symptoms.
The brilliant thing about these tips is that will also work for your home in summer, making your home cooler with lower energy bills.
How Does Cold Get In?
(Hint: It’s not just your windows!)
Chances are, your home is leaking warm air in more places than you think. In winter, the cold doesn’t just “come in”—your precious heat escapes. And unless your home is properly sealed and insulated, you’re essentially paying to heat the neighbourhood. The good news? Every one of these problems can be fixed—and often without major renovation.
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But First, Let’s Talk About Heating
Before we even get into sealing and insulating, let’s take a moment to talk about how you’re heating your home—because the source of your warmth matters just as much as keeping it in.
Many Aussie homes still rely on gas ducted heating or portable gas heaters, but there’s a growing shift toward getting off gas altogether. Why? Because:
gas heating can be very expensive to run
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- the cost of gas has been increasing and will continue to do so
- it is an extra ‘standing charge’ on your energy bills that you don’t really need
it poses indoor air quality risks as elements such as carbon monoxide (poisonous) and water vapour (mould inducing) are some of the outputs from burning gas
you must not draught proof a home where gas is being burnt (carbon monoxide poisoning is real), so your home will always be draughty and cold
Reverse cycle air conditioners are a smart alternative (especially ones with clean filters!)
If you’ve already got one, great news—you’ve already got a heater! Many people don’t realise that reverse cycle units are excellent at heating, they can be up to 500% efficient and MUCH cheaper to run than gas, especially when your home is well-insulated and sealed. And if you are powering them with solar? Even better. (Read about pre-heating here).
So before investing in a new heater or upgrading your gas system, consider switching to (or using) efficient electric heating. Then we’ll show you how to keep that warm air exactly where it belongs—inside.
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Step 1: Start with Draught Proofing
If you’re looking for the biggest comfort upgrade for the lowest cost, draught proofing is where it’s at. It’s the first thing we recommend—and the first thing you’ll feel.
Why? Because it’s not just cold air sneaking in—it’s your warm, expensive air leaking out. Gaps around doors, windows, vents, floorboards, chimneys, and exhaust fans are like little escape hatches for heat. Block them up properly, and your home immediately feels warmer and more stable—even without turning up the heater.
The best part? Draught proofing is one of the easiest things to DIY. With the right products (and a little know-how), you can dramatically improve your home’s performance in a weekend. And if you’re not sure where the draughts are? We’ve even created an online video guide to help you find and fix them all.
👉 Find and Fix My Draughts – The DIY Course
Seal the Leaks, Starting with the Biggest Offenders First
Once you’ve located those sneaky draughts, tackle them right away with simple, effective DIY draught proofing solutions—starting from the largest gaps and working your way down.
- Chimneys: A disused fireplace can be a huge source of heat loss. Use a Chimney Draught Stopper to plug the gap and keep the warmth in.
- Exhaust Fans: When they’re not in use, exhaust fans in kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and toilets, act like open holes to the outside. Fit a Draft Stoppa to automatically seal them when the fan is off. If you have a 3 in 1 fan, then you can either replace the entire exhaust fan unit or fit a 3 in 1 Adapter Plate with your Draft Stoppa.
- Wall Vents: Seal internal wall vents – they are holes in your walls that leak your air conditioned air straight out. Not convinced? Have a read of this.
- Doors: For best results, seal around the sides and bottom. Our Front and Back Door Kit deals with around 80% of Aussie doors creating a tight, professional-grade seal for inward-opening timber doors. We also have solutions for all other door types too.
- Windows: Windows are notorious for letting cold air in. Use Draught Dodgers for Awning Windows or Draught Dodgers for Double Hung Windows to stop air leaks—without affecting how your windows open and close. If you have aluminium windows, try EMV to draught seal them.
- Floorboards and trim: For those tiny but persistent gaps in timber floors, skirting boards, vents and architraves, UltraClear Invisible Sealant does the job beautifully—applies white, dries clear, low VOC, and flexes with your home over time. If you have LOTS of gaps, then it might be worthwhile investing in a Gap Fillers kit.
⚠️ Safety note: Never draught proof a room with an open-flame or unflued gas appliance. Always have gas systems checked every two years to avoid the serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Step 2: Insulate to Lock in the Warmth
In winter, heat rises—and if your ceiling isn’t properly insulated, it rises straight out of your home. A poorly insulated roof is one of the biggest sources of heat loss, making it harder (and much more expensive) to keep your home cosy.
The good news? Ceiling insulation is the second most cost-effective upgrade you can make. Whether you’re topping up old batts, replacing degraded materials, or starting from scratch, adding quality ceiling insulation helps trap warm air where it belongs—inside.
Most modern insulation products are safe, non-irritating, and DIY-friendly (especially if your ceiling cavity is accessible). Check out these. But if you’d prefer a professional install, we can point you in the right direction too.
Warm air shouldn’t be a luxury. It should be standard. Let’s keep it from escaping through your roof.
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Step 3: Insulate Beneath Your Feet – Underfloor Insulation
If your home has timber floors and a crawl space underneath, underfloor insulation is a game changer—especially in winter. Without insulation, cold air under your home pulls warmth straight through the floorboards, leaving your feet freezing and your heater working overtime.
Installing underfloor insulation helps stop the cold from rising, improves indoor comfort, and makes your heating more effective. It’s particularly noticeable in bedrooms, hallways, and any room with polished timber floors.
The great news? Polyester insulation (the default industry standard) is safe, non-itchy, and DIY-friendly. There is a wealth of information on underfloor insulation here.
If you have steel joists, then look at Joisties. Underfloor insulation is a job many homeowners can do themselves (in one weekend, or over a few weeks) – saving on labour and boosting thermal comfort for decades.
If you’re sick of cold feet and soaring energy bills, underfloor insulation is one upgrade you’ll feel immediately. And interestingly, it makes a difference to summer comfort as well as reducing the noise coming into your home too!
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Step 4: Tame Your Windows – The Thermal Weak Spot
Windows are one of the biggest culprits for winter heat loss—especially in older homes. Even small gaps or thin glass panes can undo all your hard work insulating and heating the rest of the house.
The good news? You’ve already tackled the draughts back in Step 1 (if not—rewind and seal those frames!). Now it’s time to boost your windows’ thermal performance.
Start with affordable upgrades:
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- Bubble wrap: Believe it or not, this is a surprisingly effective low-cost option for windows in little-used areas or rentals. It adds a layer of insulation without major spend. Its easy, try this.
- Thermally efficient curtains: Thick, properly fitted curtains with blockout backing can make a huge difference.
- Pelmets: These prevent warm air from falling behind the curtain and being lost through the window. Not a fan of the look? Try our stylish Invisible Pelmets—same function, cleaner finish, cheaper and can you with you when you leave. Note: This solution is only for curtains on tracks, not for curtain rods.
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Want a more permanent solution?
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- ecoGlaze Secondary Glazing: Our DIY-friendly secondary glazing system mimics double glazing—without replacing your windows. It traps a layer of air, reducing heat loss and even outside noise.
- Replace your windows: If budget allows and you’re already renovating, replacing single-glazed units with thermally efficient double glazing is the premium solution—but it comes at a premium price too.
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Start where your budget allows, and know that every improvement you make adds comfort, efficiency, and value to your home.
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Step 5: Don’t Forget the Walls
Wall insulation is often overlooked—but in winter, uninsulated walls can be like giant cold panels, drawing warmth out of your home. If your house was built before the early 2000s, there’s a good chance your walls are either poorly insulated or not insulated at all.
If you’re renovating or extending, it’s the perfect time to install wall insulation as part of the building process. DIY installation is totally achievable at this stage, and it’s one of the best chances you’ll have to future-proof your comfort. Check it out here.
If your home is already finished and you’re not planning major works, wall insulation becomes a specialist job. The good news? There are expert retrofit providers who can install insulation without removing your plasterboard or weatherboards. We’d be happy to refer you to a trusted company that can help.
👉 Just get in touch with our team, and we’ll point you in the right direction.
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Step 6: Use Your Heating Wisely
Once your home is sealed and insulated, your heating system can finally do its job—without working overtime. That means faster warm-up times, better heat retention, and lower energy bills. But there are still a few smart habits that can take your comfort even further.
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- Zone your home: Only heat the rooms you’re using. Close internal doors and use draught stoppers to keep warmth where you want it.
- Optimise your controller: Set it to 18–20°C in winter—each degree higher can increase energy use by up to 10%.
- Use timers and remote controls: Avoid leaving heating on overnight or while you’re away.
- Let the sun help out: Open north-facing blinds during the day to let natural warmth in, then close them before the chill sets in at night.
- If you have solar, then consider pre-heating your home. Find out more here.
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And remember—your heating will only be as efficient as the building shell it’s working within. By following the steps above, your heater won’t have to work as hard to keep you warm, and you’ll feel the difference in both comfort and cost.
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Bonus Step: Heat You, Not the Whole House
If you haven’t yet draught proofed or insulated—or you’re renting and can’t make major changes—sometimes it’s smarter to heat just one room rather than the whole house. This is often called “cocooning” or creating a climate-safe room: a warm, well-contained space where you can retreat and stay comfortable during the coldest (or hottest) parts of the day or night. It’s a great short-term strategy while you’re working toward a more energy-efficient home.
Even if your home is chilly, you don’t have to be.
Here are our favourite personal warmth hacks:
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Layer up – Thermal tops, cosy jumpers, and wool everything makes a huge difference.
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Wool socks + ugg boots – Cold feet = cold body. Insulated footwear is a game-changer.
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Heated throw or electric blanket – Keeps you warm without needing to heat the whole room.
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Hot water bottles or heat packs – Great for bedtime or working from home on cold days.
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Blankets on couches – Keep them within reach for quick, snuggly warmth when you’re sitting still.
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These are all great options while you’re planning your next retrofit step. But once your home is properly sealed and insulated, you’ll find you won’t need to rely on these, unless you really want to. Instead, your house will hold warmth naturally—and that’s the real win.
Online Help?
Here is an online magazine that explains what we did to our home over the course of a few years to make it the haven that it is now.
NEXT STEPS?
Creating a warm, energy-efficient home doesn’t need to happen overnight. It’s a journey—and whether you’re taking small steps or big leaps, ecoMaster is here to support you every step of the way.
If you’re feeling unsure about where to begin, you’re not alone. We can connect you with experienced home comfort and energy assessors who provide in-depth insights into how your home is performing—and where the biggest comfort and energy savings can be made. From there, you’ll have a clear plan to follow at your own pace, whether DIY is your style or you prefer a helping hand.
Ready to get started on your own? Visit ecoMasterStore.com.au to explore our curated range of tried-and-tested retrofit products—each designed to help make your home more comfortable, more efficient, and more affordable to run.
Need guidance or a referral to a trusted assessor?
Contact us here. We’re always happy to help.
